"Grades are almost completely relative, in effect ranking students relative to others in their class...." — James S. Coleman

There are many examples in high schools which show something about the effects such competition might have.

The results indicate that heterogeneity of race and heterogeneity of family educational background can increase the achievement of children from weak educational backgrounds with no adverse effect on children from strong educational backgrounds.

The present structure of rewards in high schools produces a response on the part of an adolescent social system which effectively impedes the process of education.

The educational resources provided by a child's fellow students are more important for his achievement than are the resources provided by the school board.